Monday Trends and Indexes 2/23 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


San Jose at Dallas
The Stars look to rebound from their 3-1 loss to Chicago on Saturday and build on their 11-4 record after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game. Dallas is the underdog pick (+145) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+145). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Game 1-2: San Jose at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.133; Dallas 12.486
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+145); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Monday, February 23

Hot Teams
-- Pacers won three of their last four games. Knicks are 12-4 vs spread in their last sixteen games.
-- Celtics won three of their last four games.
-- Hawks are 4-0 (3-1 vs spread) in game after their last four losses. Jazz won four in row, seven of last eight games.
-- Warriors won four of their last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Nets lost their last five games (0-5 vs spread). 76ers lost last three in a row by 9-12-6 points.
-- Nuggets lost last two games, allowing 116-120 points.
-- Hornets lost eight of last 12 games. Kings lost 15 of last 17 games, but covered three of last four.
-- Clippers lost last three games by 40-23-29 points.

Totals
-- Nets' last four games all went over the total; under is 5-0-1 in 76ers' last six contests.
-- Ten of last eleven New York games went over the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Boston games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Eight of last eleven Hornet games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Golden State games went over the total.

Back-to Back
-- Pacers are 3-8 vs spread on road if they played the night before.
-- Celtics are 3-1 vs spread if playing on road second consecutive night.
-- Clippers are 4-8 vs spread if they played the night before.

[Udog]

NCAAB
Write-Up


Monday, February 23

Notes on today's games.............

Georgetown lost eight of last ten games, are 3-4 at home in Big East and appear headed to NIT, or worse- they're 2-4 vs spread as an underdog in 2009. Louisville won last three games by 45-18-9 pts, scoring 88.3 ppg- they're 6-1 on Big East road, losing only at Notre Dame. Big East home underdogs are 11-20 against the spread.

Oklahoma star Griffin had concussion Saturday, is doubtful here-- they were all set to be #1 in country if they had won at Texas, but they lost 73-68, Sooners' first Big 12 loss. OU is 3-3 as home favorite, winning at home by 15-11-19-6-5-11 points. Jayhawks' only Big 12 loss was by 2 points at Missouri two weeks ago, in game they led 30-16 at the half.

Wofford (+5) lost 77-65 at Western Carolina Jan 31; WCU shot 60.8% from floor, but Catamounts are 0-4 vs spread as SoCon road dog, losing away games by 12-7-14-6-24-11-6 points (won at NC-Greensboro and Furman). Terriers won four of last five games, are 1-4 as home favorite in conference games, winning home games by 3-3-13-7 pts (4-4 SU).

Tenn-Martin lost at home to Missouri State in Bracket Buster, first loss in last 12 games for Skyhawks, who beat Murray State 75-71 at home n first meeting Jan 5. Racers lost at home to Louisiana Tech, their first loss in five games. Murray is 5-1 at home in OVC, losing only by a point to Austin Peay. OVC home favorites are 23-27 against the spread.

Charleston won four of last five games, winning last three road games, at Davidson/Appalachian State/Georgia Southern- they're 1-1 as underdog in SoCon road games. Cougars scored 77+ points in last seven wins, 68 or less in last four losses. Chattanooga won six of last seven games, are 4-4 as SoCom home favorite, winning at home by 27-4-7-13-22-9-5.

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Monday, February 23

Hot teams
-- Dallas is 14-1 in game following its last fifteen losses. Sharks won last three games, allowing five goals.

Cold teams
-- None.

Totals
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Dallas games; four of last five San Jose games went over the total.

Back-to-Back
-- None.

Series Records
-- Sharks won three in row, five of last six games against Dallas.

[Udog]

NCAAB
Long Sheet


All Remaining Games

Monday, February 23

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TENNESSEE ST (10 - 17) at MURRAY ST (15 - 11) - 2/23/2009, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MURRAY ST is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) after scoring 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MURRAY ST is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TENNESSEE ST is 4-2 against the spread versus MURRAY ST over the last 3 seasons
MURRAY ST is 4-3 straight up against TENNESSEE ST over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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COLL OF CHARLESTON (20 - 7) at UT-CHATTANOOGA (15 - 13) - 2/23/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLL OF CHARLESTON is 56-34 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games since 1997.
COLL OF CHARLESTON is 56-34 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
UT-CHATTANOOGA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in February games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
UT-CHATTANOOGA is 2-2 against the spread versus COLL OF CHARLESTON over the last 3 seasons
COLL OF CHARLESTON is 3-1 straight up against UT-CHATTANOOGA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Monday, 2/23/2009

INDIANA at NEW YORK, 7:35 PM ET
INDIANA: 15-4 ATS playing with same season revenge
NEW YORK: 8-1 Over in February

PHILADELPHIA at NEW JERSEY, 7:35 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA: 22-8 ATS AWAY off a road loss
NEW JERSEY: 0-7 ATS at home off BB overs

ATLANTA at UTAH, 9:05 PM ET
ATLANTA: 47-67 ATS off an Over
UTAH: 19-9 ATS at home off a home win

BOSTON at DENVER, 9:05 PM ET NBA TV
BOSTON: 28-13 ATS revenging a home loss
DENVER: 13-4 OVER off BB Overs

NEW ORLEANS at SACRAMENTO, 10:05 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS: 11-2 ATS off BB road losses
SACRAMENTO: 4-12 ATS as a home underdog

GOLDEN STATE at LA CLIPPERS, 10:35 PM ET
GOLDEN STATE: 3-11 ATS off home win
LA CLIPPERS: 10-3 OVER when playing on BB days

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Monday, 2/23/2009

LOUISVILLE at GEORGETOWN, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
LOUISVILLE: 15-3 ATS in road games
GEORGETOWN: 3-11 ATS vs. conference

KANSAS at OKLAHOMA, 9:00 PM ET ESPN
KANSAS: 10-1 ATS vs. conference
OKLAHOMA: 6-0 Over off an Under

Added Game

W CAROLINA at WOFFORD, 7:00 PM ET
W CAROLINA: 6-0 Over off road win
WOFFORD: 0-7 ATS revenging road loss

Write-In Games

TENNESSEE ST at MURRAY ST, 8:30 PM ET
TENNESSEE ST: 8-0 Over Away if the total is 140 to 144.5
MURRAY ST: 16-4 ATS after scoring 60 points or less

COLL OF CHARLESTON at UT-CHATTANOOGA, 7:00 PM ET
COLL OF CHARLESTON: 31-15 ATS in 2nd of BB road games
UT-CHATTANOOGA: 7-18 ATS off BB home wins

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Monday, 2/23/2009

SAN JOSE at DALLAS, 8:05 PM ET VER
SAN JOSE: 1-7 ATS AWAY when playing their 4th game in 7 days
DALLAS: 19-5 ATS revenging 2 consecutive losses to opponent as a favorite

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA


Monday, February 23

Updated
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Tips and Trends
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Boston Celtics at Denver Nuggets [9 PM ET]

Celtics (-2, O/U 203): While Kevin Garnett surely turned Boston into an NBA title contender, it's the youngest member of the team's starting five who has had the biggest impact when he performs well. That would be point guard Rajon Rondo, who scored a career-high 32 points and dished out 10 assists in a 128-108 win at Phoenix on Sunday. The Celtics improved to 13-2 when playing without Garnett, including 4-0 this season. They are a perfect 10-0 when Rondo scores at least 18 points. “As Rondo goes, this team goes,” Boston's Paul Pierce said. “If he plays as well as he’s playing, then there’s no way we can lose.”

Celtics are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games.
The OVER is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.

Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (knee) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 105 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)

Nuggets: Denver will be playing its first home game in almost three weeks and returns to the Pepsi Center following a 5-3 road trip. The Nuggets struggled a bit defensively as they closed out the trip, giving up an average of 118 points in losses at Chicago and Milwaukee. They have won 11 of their last 13 home games and have beaten the Celtics four straight times there. Denver was also the first team to deal Boston a home loss earlier this season, beating the Celtics 94-85 back on November 14th.

Home team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The OVER is 18-8-1 in Denver's last 27 games vs. Atlantic Division.

Key Injuries - F Nene Hilario (knee) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 103


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[Udog]

NCAAB


Monday, February 23

Updated
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Tips and Trends
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#7 Louisville at Georgetown [ESPN | 7 PM ET]

Louisville (-1, O/U 133): The Cardinals are still in the mix for the top seed in the Big East tournament thanks to three straight wins following a home loss to #1 UConn. The Huskies have since lost to Pittsburgh, creating a logjam with four teams each losing twice in conference play. Louisville has won its last three against DePaul, Providence and Cincinnati by an average of 24 points. The closest of those games came on Saturday when the Cards beat the Bearcats, 72-63. “I think our passing has gotten better,” Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said. “We made some excellent passes. We executed great against their full-court pressure. We just played a terrific game.”

Louisville is 23-7-1 ATS in its last 31 road games.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Louisville's last 8 Monday games.

Key Injuries - G Reginald Delk (ankle) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 65

Georgetown: This is a must-win for the Hoyas, who still have hopes of getting into the NCAA tournament with a strong finish. The problem is, they just can't seem to get over the hump. Georgetown had come through with a 65-40 rout of South Florida to seemingly end a skid of seven losses in eight games. But Marquette completed a season series sweep of the Hoyas on Saturday with a 78-72 road win. “We’ll get through this," Georgetown head coach John Thompson III said. "Yeah, it’s trying. But we’re going to do what we do. We’re going to try to get better from the top on down.”

Georgetown is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 10-1 in Georgetown's last 11 Monday games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 68 (Side Play of the Day)



#18 Kansas at #2 Oklahoma [ESPN | 9 PM ET]

Kansas: The Jayhawks could very well be the hottest team in the Big 12, winning 10 of their last 11 games. Their only loss during that stretch was came on the road to a Missouri team that has also won 10 of 11. The defending national champs could have a big advantage if Oklahoma's Blake Griffin doesn't play since center Cole Aldrich is averaging 20.3 points in the last three games. “It helps to have an inside presence, and we have one of the best inside presences in the country,” Kansas guard Sherron Collins said. “He’s good. We’ve got to feed him. Early in the season, we weren’t feeding him enough. When we do, that takes pressure off all of us.”

Kansas is 14-3-1 ATS in its last 18 games vs. big 12.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Kansas' last 8 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 67

Oklahoma (-3): The status of All-American Blake Griffin probably will not be known until near tip-off, and the Sooners are not going to risk his future right now after he suffered a concussion in the first half of a 73-68 loss at Texas on Saturday. “The most important thing is him and his future. You don’t want to do anything to risk any further damage, so that’s the most important thing,” Capel said before practice Sunday. “We’re going to proceed with caution with this and make sure he’s OK. And we’ll move on whichever way we have to, with him or without.”

Oklahoma is 0-4 SU in the last 4 meetings.
The OVER is 10-1 in Oklahoma's last 11 home games.

Key Injuries - F Blake Griffin (concussion) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 70


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[Udog]

Monday's six-pack

We're looking at some of the best minor league prospects for all thirty major league baseball teams; today, the Chicago White Sox

-- Gordon Beckham, SS-- Batted .310 in first exposure to pro ball.

-- Dayan Viciedo, 3B/SS-- One of the top players from Cuba.

-- Aaron Poreda, P-- 2.69 ERA in 207 minor league innings.

-- Tyler Flowers, C-- Already had 50-game suspension and a knee surgery, but also has .291 BA in 931 minor league at-bats.

-- Brandon Allen, 1B-- Improved in '08, with better conditioning.

-- Jordan Danks, OF-- Brother of Pale Hose pitcher John.

[Udog]

Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend............

13) Major red flags surrounding Duke, which led Wake Forest 41-19 in first half Sunday night, then had to hang on for dear life (Deacons got within two at one point), before beating Wake 101-91. Alarming stat for Coach K has to be Wake Forest shooting 61% from floor.

12) If you watch as much college hoop as I do, and write down every team that announcers say will make the NCAA tournament, which I do not, we would be watching a tournament with 136 teams in it. In this day and age, many announcers have turned into shills........

11) The first Arizona-Arizona State game was horrendous to watch, just a bloodbath of a game, a tense struggle; Sunday's night rematch in Tempe was a terrific game, with Sun Devils winning 70-68, keeping ASU within a half-game of first place Washington in the Pac-10.

10) Andre Smith got suspended from the Sugar Bowl for his illegal dealings with an agent, which contributed to Alabama's upset loss to Utah; this week, he skips out on the NFL Combine without telling anyone, because a) he was unprepared and b) he has no agent. Say what? Why was he suspended for the Sugar Bowl then? Young man might have cost himself $10 million this weekend.

9) Wire services called Saint Louis' win over Dayton Saturday night an upset; Billikens were 1.5-point favorites. Where are fact checkers when you need them? Its not a big thing, but it is an obvious error.

8) Best TV commercial in many years is the one for basketball on the Big 11 Network, where a pep talk to an invisible Big 11 fan is shown, with all eleven coaches in the league delivering part of speech. Indiana coach Tom Crean actually breaks a clipboard in the commercial.

7) Was remiss yesterday in not pointing out that the Denver Pioneers snapped a 43-game road losing streak when they won at Arkansas St. Saturday night. Denver had few close calls earlier in season, but they always lost at the end-- finally, they broke through Saturday.

6) Emmitt Smith is out as an NFL analyst at ESPN, which is a major victory for the English lamguage. Smith just didn't speak very well.

5) Syracuse scored 85+ points in four of last six games, but they lost three of those four games; so much for that terrific 2-3 zone, which is lame unless you have rangy, athletic players playing the defense.

4) Phil Mickelson has never been the #1-ranked golfer in the world.

3) Still don't understand why the PGA Tour insists on this Fed Ex Cup points system, which confuses the hell out of me, which isn't a real tough thing to do, but still.......Why not just use the money list? Is money won not the best indicator of who is playing the best?

2) Sad to see the A's have abandoned their plans to build a new park in the Fremont area, probably because the economy is so bad, no way to get help in funding from a state whose economy is in deep peril.

1) If I was filling out my NCAA brackets on Monday morning, 23rd of February, I'd pick the Oklahoma Sooners to win the national title.